In the dynamic world of retail, we are subject to constant change. Digital dependencies and global uncertainties pose immense challenges for our industry. But instead of succumbing to these risks, the companies of the Schwarz Group have embarked on a strategic path: We are creating our own digital sovereignty.

Driven by conviction and a sense of responsibility as one of Europe's largest retail groups, we are taking the reins. In this keynote address at RETAIL NXT, we'll take you behind the scenes to see how we secure our independence with in-house developed digital technologies and best-in-class products. We'll show you how we are freeing ourselves from external dependencies so that we can continue to guarantee our consistently low prices and expand our market leadership.

– Cybersecurity as a backbone: We don't see cybersecurity as a cost factor, but as a strategic advantage. By protecting our production from outages, we ensure our ability to deliver and strengthen our customers' trust.

– Artificial intelligence as an efficiency booster: AI is our tool to revolutionize our value chains. We use it to accelerate our logistics, make our purchasing more precise, and streamline our administration.

– Secure communication as the foundation of resilience: In a networked world, supply chains are the Achilles' heel. Secure communication makes them not only more resilient to disruptions, but also more efficient and transparent.

Let us take a look together into the future, where the retail sector not only reacts but actively shapes the future – through technology, sovereignty, and taking responsibility.